II Chronicles 36:2–23

July 24, 2014

Jehoahaz becomes king. After only three months, the king of Egypt dethrones him and replaces him with another one of Josiah's son. Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt.

Jehoiakim becomes king. He did what the LORD said was wrong. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacks Judah, captures Jehoiakim, and takes him to Babylon.

Jehoiachin becomes king. He does what the LORD says is wrong. King Nebuchadnezzar removes some of the valuable things from the LORD's temple and puts them in his own palace. Then he makes Jehoiachin's uncle Zedekiah (another son of Josiah and brother to Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim), king.

Zedekiah becomes king. He too does what the LORD said was wrong. Josiah's sons (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah), and grandson (Jehoiachin) all rejected God's teachings. They all witnessed what happened to their father and grandfather. They witnessed Josiah's love for what was in God's word and how things went well for him. They also witnessed what happened when Josiah stubbornly followed his own ways and things did not go well; but still they rejected the LORD's teachings. God sent the prophet Jeremiah to warn Zedekiah, but he refused to change his heart. The people became more and more wicked. "The LORD had made the temple in Jerusalem holy, but the leaders made it unholy."

The LORD, "sent prophets again and again to warn his people." He had pity on them and he wanted them to change, but they ridiculed and made fun of God's people. They despised God's messages. "They refused to listen to the prophets until, finally, the LORD became so angry with his people that he could not be stopped." (NIV and KJV says until there was "no remedy.")

Because of their disobedience and their refusal to listen to the many messages God sent them, and because they refused to repent and change their hearts, God brought the king of Babylon to attack them and God handed all of them over to King Nebuchadnezzar. They were now totally captive. Nebuchadnezzar completely destroyed the temple and took or destroyed every valuable thing. The people were forced to be his slaves. "And so what the LORD had told Israel through the prophet Jeremiah happened." The country was an empty wasteland for seventy years. (Verse 21)

What the LORD said would happen—happened. 

What happened between II Chronicles 36:21 and II Chronicles 36:23, is the fulfillment of God's promise to Jeremiah recorded in Jeremiah 33. Jeremiah was given the promise of the LORD while he was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards. The LORD tells Jeremiah for the second time, "These are the words of the LORD, who made the earth, shaped it, and gave it order, whose name is the LORD: pray to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets you never heard before... I will bring them back from captivity... they will enjoy great peace and safety." It looks hopeless, but I the LORD am going to do it. Then the people will say: "Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good! His love continues forever."

The country is in ruins—just as Jeremiah said. The people are captive—just as Jeremiah warned. Then what the LORD said would happen in Jeremiah 33—happened. The last two verses in the last chapter of "The Lost Chapters" records it.

"In the first year Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD had Cyrus send an announcement to his whole kingdom. This happened so the LORD's message spoken by Jeremiah would come true. He wrote:

This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:

The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build a Temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Now may the LORD your God be with all of you who are his people. You are free to go to Jerusalem."

God fulfilled HIS promise to free HIS people.

 

Jane's (Her Name Was Jane) last God-given message to us (given in April of 2008) was Jeremiah 33—God's promise of freedom and restoration. When Jeremiah received the promise from God, he was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards. This was the second time God promised him freedom and restoration. We received Jane's last God-given promise of Jeremiah 33, while we were still locked up in "the storm." Jeremiah 33 is also the second time we received God's promise of protection. Jane's first God-given message to us (given in July of 2007) was Psalm 140—God's promise of His protection. How amazing is that? God fulfilled His promise to Jeremiah and He will fulfill His promise to free and restore us. LORD, SO BE IT. Your word is true. Praise the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth, for HIS great faithfulness.

From the Life Lesson: God used the exile to cause the people to repent, and He used a pagan king to rebuild Jerusalem's Temple.

"They were pushed to the edge of existence where they thought they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth, and they found out that in fact, they had been pushed to the center, where God was. They experienced not bare survival but abundant life... Exile is the worst that reveals the best... disaster seems to be good for people. When the superfluous is stripped away we find the essential—and the essential is God... Exile reveals what really matters and frees us to pursue what really matters, which is to seek the LORD will all our hearts." ~ From Run With the Horses by Eugene Peterson.

Next Entry: The Lost Chapters: Review

II Chronicles 32:24 – 33:25 (Continued)

July 22, 1014

After Manasseh suffered, "he humbled himself" before God and he begged the LORD for help. God heard his prayers and let him return to Jerusalem. IF—THEN.  II Chronicles 7:14 - IF my people who are called by name humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear their prayers and heal their land.

There is always hope, but it first requires personal submission and action on our part in order for God to do HIS part. God is ready, willing, capable, and waiting. He speaks to us through his Holy Spirit, His Word, and others. He provides the ways. We must humble ourselves → seek → and turn. When we do that, HE does the rest.

Hope. There is always hope. But there comes a time when time runs out. Don't wait. Change your heart, mind and ways—TODAY!

Amon becomes king. He does what the LORD says is wrong. Amon does not humble himself or change his ways. Instead, he sinned even more. 


Next Entry: II Chronicles 34:1–33 

II Chronicles 32:24 - 33:25

July 21, 2014

After all Hezekiah did right, he ended up becoming prideful and arrogant. He didn't remember who was in control.

God

 ↓  

Man

Hezekiah no longer thanked God, and God became angry. When the people sought forgiveness God forgave, but how much better it would have been if Hezekiah had not become so full of pride. I pray that we never forget to thank God for all He has done. It is not about what "I" have done, it is ALL about what HE has done.

Hezekiah dies and his son Manasseh becomes king. Manasseh rebuilt the places for idol worship that Hezekiah tore down. He put idols in the temple. He totally turned against the LORD's teachings. "God's people" did more evil than the people God forced out of the land Moses led the Israelites to.

God spoke to Manasseh and "his" people but they refused to listen. Later, the king of Assyria comes to attack them. They captured Manasseh and bound him. This is the same army that came unprovoked to attack Hezekiah and God protected them and soundly defeated the army because of Hezekiah's faithfulness. This time because of Manasseh's unfaithfulness, God caused the Assyrian army to attack, and "God's people" were soundly defeated.

Our actions determines God's response. When we are faithful—He provides protection. When we are unfaithful—His protection is removed. 


Next Entry: II Chronicles 32:24 – 33:25 

II Chronicles 27:1 – 28:27

July 19, 2014

Jotham becomes king. "(He) became powerful, because he always obeyed the LORD his God." He not only started well, but he finished well too. But then Ahaz becomes king and it's a completely different story. (You can read more about Ahaz in II Kings 16 and Isaiah 7.)

Because Ahaz refused to follow God's ways, the LORD handed him over to the king of Aram. God also handed him over to Pekah the king of Israel because Ahaz (Judah) had left the LORD. Disaster happened to them and they were taken captive by their own relatives. A prophet of the LORD met the Israelite army when they returned from the battle. He told them: Look, God is the one who handed the people (Ahaz/Judah) to you because he was angry with them. But God has seen the cruel way you have treated them and killed them. Now you plan to make your own relatives your slaves. This should not be! You yourselves have sinned against God. "Now listen to me. Send back your brothers and sisters whom you captured because the LORD is very angry with you."

The people of Israel listened and sent the people of Judah back to their homeland.

Ahaz witnessed all of this but still did not change. The Edomites attacked Judah. Did Ahaz turn to God for help? No. He goes to the king of Assyria. The Philistines also attacked Judah. All this happened because Ahaz (Judah) was unfaithful to the LORD. The LORD caused it to happen. In all his troubles, Ahaz turned even farther away from God. He gathered things from the temple; he broke them; and he closed the temple doors. Why is it some people just don't seem to "get-it"? They keep turning away from God instead of turning to God?

God does not tolerate continued disobedience. The longer you refuse to surrender your will to HIS will, the harder it becomes repent.


Next Entry: II Chronicles 29:1 – 32:23

II Chronicles 21:4 – 24:27

July 17, 2014

You cannot align yourself with ungodly people and then expect to remain faithful to the LORD.

Jesus' calls for us to be separate cannot be followed when aligned with the ungodly. Jehoshaphat found this out when he aligned himself with Ahab (II Chronicles 16:3) and then again with Ahab's son Ahaziah (II Chronicles 20:35). He (and others) suffered the consequences.

Jehoshaphat is dead and now his son Jehoram (the son who married Ahab's daughter) becomes king. In his desire to have total control, he kills all of his brothers and some of the leaders of Judah. He did not follow in the footsteps of his father. Instead, because he married Ahab's daughter, he chose to follow her ways and to do what the LORD said was wrong. But, not everyone chose to follow Jehoram's sinful ways. The people of Libnah broke away from his rule because he had left the LORD's ways.

If you find yourself linked with others (in business or socially) who are not following God, you must break free.    

God sent Elijah to warn Jehoram (by letter) what was going to happen. Jehoram and his people, his wives and children (plus everything he owned), were all going to suffer the consequences for his actions. He was going to develop a terrible disease that he would die from. Two years later he died a horrible death. His need for total control (II Chronicles 21:4), eventually led to his downfall (II Chronicles 21:20), and in the end it brought him nothing. No one was sad when he died. He wasn't even buried with honor.

God's promises are true and nothing can destroy or prevent God from fulfilling His promises. 
There are consequences for our life choices.  Our decisions bring God's promised results: Blessing—or—Curses.

Because of his selfish need for control Jehoram killed all his brothers. And now years later, the exact same fate happened to his own sons by robbers. His youngest son Ahaziah survived, and he became king. He followed in the footsteps of his father, his namesake uncle, and the others in Ahab's family because his mother encouraged him to do what was wrong. His actions later led to his death. Ahaziah goes to visit his uncle Joram (the son of Ahab and king of Israel). While there, "God caused" (NCV) "brought about" (NIV) his death (KJV - "was of God"). There are consequences for our choices and actions.

Ahaziah's mom Athaliah (Ahab's daughter) either doesn't "get-it" or doesn't care. She doesn't take this opportunity to repent and change her ways. Instead, she kills everyone in the royal family so she can take over. At least she thought she killed everyone. But Jehosheba (Ahaziah's sister) takes Joash (Ahaziah's son and her nephew) and hides him in the Temple. No danger in Athaliah finding him there... she is not worshiping God in the Temple. Jehosheba, (along with her husband Jehoida the priest) hid him for six years.

When Joash was seven, Jehoida led the plan to make him king. God promised the king would be of David's descendants and nothing can destroy or prevent God's promises from being fulfilled. Joash is made king. Jehoiada appointed guards to surround him. (God's angels surround us.) When Athaliah realized she was no longer the ruler over Judah she screamed, "Traitors!  Traitors!" Interesting how she felt anything and everything was permissible and acceptable for her as she maneuvered to get her way, but let someone do what God instructed and she screams—no fair! She was taken outside the gate and put to death. Sin must not be tolerated. It must be removed. That may mean that you have to separate yourself from an ungodly situation or person.

As long as Jehoiada was priest and advising him, Joash did what the LORD said was right. He rebuilt the temple. But later when Jehoiada died, Joash began to listen to others and he stopped worshiping the LORD. II Chronicles 24:19 - "Even though the LORD sent prophets to the people to turn them back to him and even though the prophets warned them, they refused to listen." God sent Jehoiada's son Zechariah to talk to the people. II Chronicles 24:20b - "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not be successful. Because you have left the LORD, he has also left you.' "

Did they listen to him and repent and return to the Lord? No. The king and his officers instead made plans against Zechariah and stoned him to death. Zechariah was the son of Jehoiada, the person who had done so much for Joash and was so respected by the people that when he died at the age of 135 years old, they buried him in Jerusalem with the kings! Yet by this time, Joash was so far away from the LORD that he didn't even remember what Jehoiada the priest (and his uncle) had done for him. As Zechariah was dying he said, "May the LORD see what you are doing and punish you." (II Chronicles 24:22)

By the end of the year it happened. The Arameans came against Joash. The Arameans were just a small little army compared to the large army of Judah, "but the LORD handed over Judah to them" because the people of Judah had left the God of their ancestors. So Joash was punished. Joash was wounded by the enemy, but it was his own officers who killed him as lay in his own bed. He died and was buried, but not with the kings.

How sad. Joash started well but ended in failure. I don't want to just start well. I want to finish well.   


Next Entry: II Chronicles 25:1 – 26:23  

II Chronicles 11:18 – 15:19

July 12, 2014

The story of Rehoboam.

After Rehoboam became strong and established, he (and the people) became self-reliant. They stopped obeying God, and they abandoned the laws of God. Oh, the dangers of PRIDE and forgetting that it isn't about "I" do. It is, "I can do all things through Christ." Rehoboam forgot (or ignored) the

God

     ↓   

  Man

relationship, and trouble ensued.

The king of Egypt attacked them. The LORD said, "You have left me, so now I leave you to face (them) alone." It is always in that order. We separate ourselves from God; we are left on our own. The LORD never abandons us first.  

When Rehoboam sees what is happening he becomes afraid and repents. The LORD saw they were sorry, so He held back His anger and prevented the king of Egypt from totally destroying them. Even though Rehoboam repented there were still consequences. The king of Egypt stripped them of what they were most proud of; their many prized possessions. Rehoboam "made himself" a strong king. "He did not want to obey the LORD.

Pride → punishment.

Abijah (son of Rehoboam) becomes king. There was a war between him (Judah) and Jeroboam (Israel). Abijah brought 400,000 soldiers into battle. Jeroboam brought 800,000. Abijah stood on a mountain and said, "Listen to me!" You know that God gave David and his sons the right to rule Israel forever, so what are you doing following Jeroboam, the son of one of Solomon's officers? You are making plans against God by planning evil against us. You are arguing against God. You have made yourself golden calves to be your gods. You have gotten rid of who God appointed as priests (the Levites) and you have appointed your own priests. You have left the LORD. "But as for us, the LORD is our God; we have not left him." (Psalm 140:6 - But we say, "You are my God...") "We obey the command of the LORD, but you have left him. God himself is with us...." He is the One leading us. Listen! Stop what you are doing! Don't fight against God! It won't work! You won't succeed!

Jeroboam wouldn't listen. Instead he sent some of his troops to "sneak behind" Judah's army. You can "sneak behind" man, but you cannot sneak behind God. When the people of Judah realized they were being tricked, they cried out to the LORD. They didn't run, and they didn't hide. They gave a battle cry, and "God caused" Jeroboam and his army to run away. "God handed them over" to Judah. The people of Israel were defeated, and the people of Judah won. Why? "...because they depended on the LORD." Jeroboam never again became strong. "The LORD struck Jeroboam and he died."

Accountability. Consequences. Every king that followed Jeroboam followed in his foot steps and did evil. Every single one! They couldn't succeed because they were trying to circumvent God's will. It won't work. It can't work.

Abijah dies and his son Asa became king. Asa did "What the LORD his God said was good and right." The LORD gave them peace because they obeyed the LORD. But then Zerah from Cush comes out to fight them with an enormous army. Asa called out to God saying, "LORD, only you can help weak people against the strong. Help us LORD our God, because we depend on you. We fight against this enormous army in your name. LORD, you are our God. Don't let anyone win against you." (Psalm 140 - "...don't let their plans succeed or they will become proud.") The size of the army doesn't matter because the battle belongs to the Lord. They couldn't do it but God could, and He did. "So the LORD defeated (them)... they were crushed by the LORD."

When you face a battle that is bigger than you, remember this truth: You can't do it, but God can. Don't give up. God is in control. 

II Chronicles 15:2 - "The LORD is with you when you are with him. IF you obey him, you will find him, but IF you leave him, he will leave you."

II Chronicles 15:7 - "But you should be strong. Don't give up, because you will get a reward for your good work."

Don't give up! God IS in control. II Chronicles 15:15 - "They looked for God... and found him."

Jeremiah 29:12–14 - "...then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me! I will let you find me," says the LORD. "And I will bring you back from your captivity... and I will bring you back to this place."

LORD, we call out to You. Hear our cries for mercy. Protect us from "the storm." Protect us from those who "have set traps along our path."


Next Entry: II Chronicles 16:1 – 19:3

Revelation 19:1–21 (Continued)

August 23, 2013

After hearing about all the destruction happening to the evil and people on earth, the response of the "great many people" in heaven was this:

"Hallelujah! (Praise the Lord) Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, because his judgments are true and right."

In their righteousness they understood what was happening on earth was true and right. Sin was punished. Accountability happened. Those who had done evil received their just punishment, by God not man. Again they said:

"Hallelujah!"

And the twenty four elders and four living creatures said:

"Amen, Hallelujah!"

Then a voice from the throne said:

"Praise our God, all you who serve him and all you who honor him, both small and great!"

And then a great multitude of people (our loved ones who have went before; and you and I) shouted out, sounding like the roar of rushing water (I'm remembering the deafening roar of Niagara Falls) and sounding like the loud reverberating sounds of thunder saying:

"Hallelujah! Our Lord God, the Almighty, rules. Let us rejoice and be happy and give God glory, because the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the Lamb's bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear."

(Fine linen means the good things done by God's people.) Then the angel said to John, "Write this:

'Happy are those who have been invited to the wedding meal of the Lamb!' "

These are the words of God. John bowed down at the feet of the angel, but the angel said, "Do not worship me—worship God, because the message about Jesus is the spirit that gives all prophecy."

Then John saw the heaven open, and there before him was a white horse.

Revelation 19:11–16 - "The rider on the horse is called Faithful and True, and he is right when he judges and makes war. His eyes are like burning fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him, which no one but himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven dressed in fine linen, white and clean, were following him on white horses. Out of the riders mouth comes a sharp sword that he will use to defeat the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will crush out the wine in the wine press of the terrible anger of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his upper leg was written the name:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." 

Wow! There is no other way to write that then word-for-word out of God's Holy Word. Unlike the counterfeit rider of the white horse in Revelation 6:2, this rider is called Faithful and True; a name we cannot understand; the Word of God; and KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! And we are with Him as He descends from heaven and makes war with the beast, the false prophet, and the kings of the earth. 

Christ is victorious, the armies of the earth are destroyed, and the beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire, to remain there for 1000 years. The thousand year reign of Christ is about to begin.

From Life Lesson:

"Here is the big difference between victory in Christ and victory in the world: A victor in the world rejoices over something he did... but the believer, rejoices over who he is—a child of God, a forgiven sinner, an heir of eternity...

Nothing can separate us from our triumph in Christ. Nothing! Our triumph is not based upon our feelings, but upon God's gift. Our triumph is based not upon our perfection, but upon God's forgiveness. How precious is this triumph! For even though we are pressed on every side, the victory is still ours. Nothing can alter the loyalty of God... it is not something we do. It is something we are." ~ From On the Anvil by Max Lucado

It is ALL about Him. When it is all about Him, we can respond to HIS judgments with happiness and praise, because we know He is Faithful and True and He judges fairly.  There are NO mistakes.  He is: 

 

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  

Amen.


Next Entry: Revelation 20:1–15

Revelation 19:1–21

August 23, 2013

The human part of me reads about these judgments and my heart just breaks for those who are being judged guilty for refusing to surrender their wills to God's will.   

A couple of days ago, while I was out and about running errands, I caught a few minutes of a sermon on the car radio. The Pastor was talking about Isaiah 54:17 which I referenced in my Revelation 17 journal entry. One of the comments he made shocked me. This Pastor said that at the end time judgment we, as Christ followers, will personally condemn those who wrongly condemned us if they do not repent and change their hearts and lives. My mouth literally dropped open and I heard myself shout—NO! The thought of being the one to pronounce condemnation on those who wrongfully condemned us is a horrible sickening thought and incomprehensible to me. It felt as if I had been punched in the gut.

It was the first time I had ever heard that preached and I really had to process and think about this brand new (to me) thought. What is this Pastor saying? More importantly, what does God say about this? So, I started asking, "What does this mean Lord?" I went back to Isaiah and re-read the verse (Isaiah 54:17) and its context in different versions to try and understand the TRUTH of what God is saying.

This is what I've learned.

During our life on this earth we are not to judge, condemn, seek revenge, or avenge what others do to us. That is for God to do and we should have no part of it. However, as part of the righteousness of God at the end time judgment, God gives us a voice and we will refute, expose, condemn, and be victorious from their false accusations. God gives us the voice to vindicate ourselves, expose the truth, and pronounce their condemnation. It will not be an "I got you" moment. Not at all. It will be a holy moment where the righteousness of God is revealed and proclaimed. It will be a God moment, and it will bring HIM honor and glory. It is His plan.

" 'This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and is their vindication from me,' declares the Lord." Isaiah 54:17b

As much as the thought of pronouncing their guilt makes me want to say—NO! I won't do it!—that response is an earthly answer. In the heavenly realm we will recognize it as just, fair, and right.

Blessed be the name of the LORD. It is not about us, it is ALL about HIM.


Next Entry: Revelation 19:1–21 (Continued)

Revelation 18:1-24

August 22, 2013

Another angel came down from heaven and declared in a loud voice:

Ruined! Ruined!

The city of Babylon is used throughout Revelation as a symbol for wickedness, greed, materialism, power—all things of the world and contrary to the teachings of Christ; and all things we as Christ followers should not be a part of.

And another voice from heaven said:

"Come out of that city, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive the disasters that will come to her." Revelation 18:4

We must separate ourselves from evil actions and from people who practice evil behaviors. We must! Disasters will come to anyone who practices evil actions and behaviors. Revelation 18:5b - "God has not forgotten the wrongs she has done."

The voice said:

• Give them the same punishment they gave to others
• Give them back twice as much as what they did
• Double the punishment they prepared for others
• They gave themselves much glory and rich living
• Give them suffering and sadness in the same proportion they gave themselves glory and pretentiousness
• They think themselves above everyone else
• They think they are untouchable and exempt from consequences
• So these disasters will happen to them in one day
• Death
• Crying
• Great hunger
• Destruction

Others will see what has happened and they will be afraid and distance themselves. They will be shocked by what they see. The punishment came quickly—it happened suddenly and without warning. Some were saddened because of what happened to "her" (what Babylon represents) and others were saddened because the destruction of "her" meant they were going to lose business and profits. All those who watched cried, "Terrible! Terrible!" All the things they wanted and desired were gone. Their rich and fancy things disappeared, and they would never have them again.

So, on one side you have the people of the world sad because of the destruction of "her" and sad for themselves because of the profits they were going to lose. But for God's people there was a totally different reaction.

"Be happy because of this, heaven!
     Be happy, God's holy people and apostles and prophets!
God has punished her (them) because of what she (they) did to you."

Then an angel picked up a large stone and threw it into the sea. He said, this is what it will be like. They will be thrown down and gone forever.

• The playing of music—gone
• Employment and work—gone
• Growing and harvesting of crops—gone
• The light from a lamp—gone
• The happy sounds of marriage and family—gone

Every. Thing. Gone. Forever. They were held accountable and judged guilty for their trickery and violence against innocent people.

From Life Lesson:

"Greed and materialism will be judged and crushed. Christians must derive their security from faith in Christ."

"John pointed out that although society was built around the economy, only what was built on God would last forever."

Side note: Besides the generalization of what/who Babylon represents, I'm sure there is also literal meanings to the symbolism and prophecy of Babylon of which I am not qualified to understand or write about.


Next Entry: Revelation 19:1–21

Revelation 17:1–18

August 21, 2013

God made us in His image. His plan was for us to live in fellowship with Him, but the sin of Adam and Eve changed all of that. Because of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins we have each been given a choice. We can choose to live in fellowship with Him—OR—we can choose to prostitute ourselves and align our life and actions with the evil one that is against God.

If we aren't in fellowship with God, we are aligned with what is against God. There is no middle ground. It really is one or the other. 

Revelation 17 describes an evil world system which is hostile towards God. This system had prostituted itself away from Truth and appeared to be in control. However, while evil may appear to be in control, the "control" is only temporary. God is in control and the final victory is His. Revelation 17:14 - "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. He will defeat them with his called, chosen, and faithful followers."

This is referring to the final battle, but it is truth in ALL areas and ALL times. People will battle against us, but Isaiah 54:17 says:

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their righteousness is from Me,"
Says the LORD.

The Message says it this way (Isaiah 54:11–17)

"Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied: I'm about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise, lay your foundations with sapphires, construct your towers with rubies, your gates with jewels, and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God for their teacher—what a mentor for your children! You'll be built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble—nothing to fear! Far from terror—it won't even come close! If anyone attacks you, don't for a moment suppose that I sent them, And if any should attack, nothing will come of it. I create the blacksmith who fires up his forge and makes a weapon designed to kill. I also create the destroyer—but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God servants can expect. I'll see to it that everything works out for the best." God's Decree.

God is in charge. He used wicked kings in the Old Testament to accomplish His will. He can take any situation, even what appears to be disastrous, and make the end result His will. Revelation 17:17 - "God made the ten horns want to carry out his purpose by agreeing to give the beast power to rule, until what God has said comes about." (Emphasis mine)

Until! Evil thinks it is in control, but that is only until God says enough is enough. In the end ALL will know that Christ alone is King of kings and LORD of all lords.

"We should not be surprised when the righteous suffer.  It conforms us to the image of Christ. It gives us power in witness. It instills the valuable strength of God-sufficiency and reduces the risk in our ministry for God. It refines us to make us capable and usable. It catches the attention of a watching world so that God's glory may be seen as He becomes credible and visible through our suffering. It may even be used in a sphere far beyond ourselves to glorify God in the universe. 

Don't pity the righteous who suffer. They have a divine edge. Their resource in pain is the reality that God is there and they only experience what He permits. And all that he permits is guaranteed by the kind of God He is. The righteous suffer with the knowledge that Christ has conquered and gives grace, growth, and glory in the midst of pain." ~ From The Upside of Down by Joseph M. Stowell 

Powerful, powerful, words that we can absolutely attest to from personal experience. Suffering should not be avoided, denied, or ignored. It should instead be embraced. It is during times of suffering that God molds us into becoming more like Him.


Next Entry: Revelation 18:1–24

Revelation 14:1 – 15:8 (Continued)

August 16, 2013

This passage is also a prophetic description of a battle that will take place at the end of the tribulation. The battle is so violent that blood will flow as high as a horse's bridle for a distance of about one hundred eighty miles. Horrible, horrible destruction and violence for those who refused to be a servant of Master Jesus and instead insisted on following their own selfish ways. They realize they are no longer in control of their choices. Their attempt to ride the fence and fool others into thinking they were "religious" while they were actually unbelievers is exposed and they are forced into being what they were all along—a slave to Satan himself. 

Then John looked again—and he saw seven angels bringing seven disasters. Revelation 15:1 - "These are the last disasters, because after them, God's anger is finished." When Jesus was crucified (John 19:30) He said, "It is finished." The Plan for Salvation was completed with Christ's death and resurrection. Now the plan for destruction and God's anger will soon be finished.

But before the final seven disasters began, John saw something else. He saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. All of those who had won the victory over the beast and his idol and of the Antichrist were standing there. They had harps that God himself had given them. Revelation 15:3–4 - "They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

"You do great and wonderful things, (Psalm 111:2)
    Lord God Almighty. (Amos 3:13)
Everything the Lord does is right and true, (Psalm 145:17)
     King of the nations.
Everyone will respect you, Lord (Jeremiah 10:7)
     and will honor you.
Only you are holy.
All the nations will come
     and worship you, (Psalm 86:9–10)
because the right things you have done,
     are now made known." (Deuteronomy 32:4)

After John saw the redeemed and heard this song, the temple in heaven was opened and the seven angels bringing the seven disasters came out. They were given seven golden bowls "filled with the anger of God, who lives forever and ever." The temple filled with smoke from the power and glory of God, "and no one could enter the temple until the seven disasters of the seven angels were finished."

The final destruction is about to begin.


Next Entry: Revelation 16:1–21

Revelation 13:1–18 (Continued)

August 09, 2013

In Jane's KJV Bible, Scofield lists the cosmic principles of Satan.

• Force
• Greed
• Selfishness
• Ambition
• Pleasure

They all boil down to one thing: The love of self above the love of God and a violation of God's very first commandment. Self = Master instead of Jesus = Master. 

The love of self and the promotion of self ALL end in naught. Those who refuse to surrender to Christ are in the end forced to surrender to the beast/Satan. Jesus won't force us to surrender to Him. Christ offered Himself as the final sacrificial Lamb and He offers us full forgiveness and undeserved grace. Offers, but does not force. He gives us every opportunity to accept His free gift of salvation, but He will not force us to accept it.

Satan on the other hand will throw everything in your path to keep you from surrendering to Christ. He will appear to be the answer, but later the truth will be exposed and he will FORCE you to become his slave and worship him.

TODAY, while there is still time, change your hearts and lives and surrender your love of self to Master Jesus.


Next Entry: Revelation 14:1 – 15:8

Jude 1–25

July 23, 2013

It's been six years since Jane told us to read Psalm 150 and then Psalm 140. It was the Monday after we learned my sister and brother-in-law filed a lawsuit. God knew the viciousness of their attack and He knew how long this "trial" was going to last, so He gave us hope and encouragement in the most unlikely of ways—an elderly woman in a nursing home. Jane E. Wolfe (who had been unresponsive for months) clearly, succinctly, and without effort spoke God's words of promise and then prayed a prayer of blessing over my life without faltering one single time. We are so grateful and so thankful for God's hands upon our lives. You can read the story of Jane here.

Jude was going to write about salvation but he instead felt the need to write about something else.  Verse 3 - "I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that was given the holy people of God once and for all time." Watch out—fight hard.

Watch out—because people had secretly entered their group and if they weren't careful they were in danger from the inside out. The classic frog in the kettle syndrome. If you put a frog in a pot of hot water, he recognizes the danger and immediately jumps out. But put the frog in a pot of tepid water and slowly turn up the heat and he doesn't recognize the threat and he dies without realizing the water became hot.

As Christians, we are more at risk with things we allow in, or things that have maneuvered themselves in, than from a blatant attack from the outside. Jude says be careful. These people (who act one way, but whose hearts are evil) sound good, but it's just a cover-up. Their motives are to destroy. They are against God's authority and are ruled by their own selfish desires. They do not understand "truth" and they think that their own knowledge and self learning is all the truth and wisdom they need.

It is that very way of thinking that will destroy them. Verse 11 - "It will be terrible for them." (See the "How terrible it will be" statements in Isaiah.) These people are like Cain, who because of anger, jealousy, and revenge went after Abel. Like Balaam, their desire for profits and ill-gotten gains led them to do wrong. And like Korah, they have rebelled and fought against authority and God sovereignty which ultimately leads to destruction.

Jude says they are like dirty spots among you. They are like a cancer that starts small and then spreads. They know they are out to destroy you but they have no problem with sitting among you and eating with you. They only care about themselves. They are like a lion in wait. They are like clouds that should produce rain, but they don't. They are instead just blown about. They are like autumn trees that should produce fruit, but they don't. They are no longer useful and they are pulled out of the ground. Not only don't they produce fruit, but the tree itself is dead. They are like waves in the sea, bobbing up and down but getting nowhere. Their shameful actions are tossed in the air like foam. They are like stars in the sky that wander around not knowing where they belong. A day of judgment is planned and reserved for them.

But wait! Don't be proud and think you would never be in danger of falling and becoming the cancerous spot. Verse 5 - "Remember that the Lord saved his people by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. But later he destroyed all those who did not believe." Remember the angels who rejected Gods power. They did not escape God's judgment. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah. Their punishment was an example for all of us to see. Remember!  

Jesus is coming again and we will ALL be judged.

Believers will be judged for their works of faith and will be rewarded accordingly. The judgment for believers is called the Judgment Seat of Christ. But there is another judgment as well. This judgment is for all those who have rejected Master Jesus, and it is called The Great White Throne Judgment.

"Look, the Lord is coming with many thousands of his holy angels to judge every person. He is coming to punish all who are against God for all the evil they have done against him. And he will punish the sinners who are against God for all the evil they have said against him." Verse 14

Jude then describes the people who are against God. Jude 16–19 - "These people complain and blame others, doing evil things they want to do. They brag about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want... these are the people who divide you, people whose thoughts are only of this world, who do not have the Spirit."

While we need to be cautious that we do not allow any small cancerous spots to grow in us, we can have complete confidence in our position with Christ. Nothing can remove us from Him! That is nothing outside of ourselves. Only we can make the choice to be out of God's love. So, keep yourself in God's love. Build your faith up. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Wait for His mercies.

"God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen."  Verses 24–25

"The proof of religious conversion is to demonstrate that we have both added a relationship with Christ and that we have subtracted sin (repentance). And we multiply proof to a weary world by what we do—our deeds, our obedience. What we do must confirm what we say. Our deeds are the proof of our repentance." ~ From Walking With Christ in the Details of Life by Patrick Morley

Wow! How can it be? I'm done with 65 books of the Bible and tomorrow I start the last book—The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Addendum: 12/31/16 ~ Wow! Again! It's the last day of 2016; I'm recording my entry written six years after receiving God's promise of protection and "the storm"; the lawsuit is still ongoing (almost nine and one half years now); Jude clearly lays out and defines the reason for the lawsuit; a day of judgment is coming; I've just started Journal #13 (my last journal); and I'm soon going to be ready to begin recording my journal entries for Revelation. But before I begin the last book, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, I am going to return to where I stopped my earlier review back in May and complete the review and the edits from Philippians to Jude.

I didn't think it would take me this long to get to Revelations, but I've learned long ago not to question God's timing. I am Walking on His Footpath (Following the Master's Lead).


Next Entry: The Book of Revelation

II John 1–13

July 22, 2013

The Truth:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."  John 14:6

"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

You can deny it, try to ignore it, or even question it, but nothing changes the fact—the truth is the Truth—and it is the only thing that can set a person free.

I've often used the air in a beach ball as an analogy to teach this truth. The air in a beach ball represents God's Truth (the Trinity). If you try to push a beach ball down under the water it will put up a resistance and exhaust you as you fight to keep the ball (Truth) submerged. No matter how hard you try, it keeps popping up to the surface. It's a constant struggle. When you finally give up and allow the ball (Truth) to rest on the water, it goes from something you were struggling against to becoming something that saves you. As you hold on to the ball (Truth), you no longer need to work to stay afloat and it supports you and holds your head above water.   

Truth is the only thing that can set you free from the bondage of sin caused by selfish desires. 

In the Old Testament, the law commanded that we love. In the New Testament, Christ came to fulfill the law. Jesus is love and we are to love each other the way He loves us. II John 6 - "And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love." II John 9 - "Anyone who goes beyond Christ's teaching and does not continue to follow only his teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son."

"... The best way to keep the enemy out is to keep Christ in." ~ From Renewed Day by Day by A.W. Tozer

Next Entry: III John 1:1–15

I John 4:1 – 5:21 (Continued)

July 22, 2013

So, how do you love God?

You love God by obeying His commands. I John 5:3–4 - "Loving God means obeying his commands. And God's commands are not too hard for us, because everyone who is a child of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world—our faith."

Faith. Believing all of what God said is true. Believing in the Trinity and that Jesus is the Son of God. Believing Jesus' life, death and resurrection was the sacrifice that fulfilled God's plan of redemption for a lost world. Believing His sacrifice was necessary for your personal salvation and accepting Him as your Savior.

Believing means action. It means confessing, repenting, and surrendering your will to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Believing by true faith and obedience. Not just a simple nodding of the head and saying, yeah... I believe all those things, while having no outward sign of a changed heart or life. Only giving lip service to God when His act of Love requires us to acknowledge Him as Lord and to accept His position as Master of our lives, is like spitting in the face of God and calling Him a liar.  

To believe—means to obey all His commands. If you refuse to obey His commands, then it means you really don't believe. I John 5:12 - "Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."  What does has/have truly mean? What is the definition of "has"?  I looked it up in my old 1957 Thorndike-Barnhart Dictionary.

To possess; be obliged; obtain; show by action; experience; allow; permit; maintain; keep; retain; know, understand; hold in the mind; be in a certain relation to, etc.  

We can't just say He is the Son of God, we must have Him as the Lord of our life. When we have Him as Lord of our lives we can "ask God for anything that agrees with what He wants" and we can know that He hears us. I John 5:15 - "If we know he hears us every time we ask him, we know we have what we ask from him." When He is in us and our desires line up with His desires, then we can know that He hears our prayers, because our prayers are not selfish or self serving. It is ALL about Him and doing His will.

God has given us everything we need to understand and know Him. I John 5:20 - "We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we can know the True One. And our lives are in the True One and in the Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and the eternal life."

"God's holiness demands that all sin be punished, but God's love provides the plan and way of redemption for sinful man. God's love is the cross of Jesus, by which man can have forgiveness and cleansing. It was the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to the cross!" ~ From Peace with God by Billy Graham

God used these chapters, really the entire book of I John, to explain a lot of TRUTH to me. I John puts in condensed form the message of the entire Bible: the promises of blessings for obedience and the inescapable consequences for disobedience. It breaks my heart that people we know and love are missing out on the blessings God has made available to them and are instead living lives of consequences for the choices they have made. Instead of a life of joy, they appear to be living a life of punishment and torment.

Last Friday morning (July 19, 2013), as I was reading I John 4:1–5:21, I literally wept when I began to understand the meaning of what God's word was saying. It was a new Truth to me. It explained the "why" behind my husband's mom actions and the resulting issues we have been having to deal with—and I wept.

My husband and I have been both disgusted and frustrated with his mother's behavior. She is literally consumed by fear and has been for as long as we can remember. She is manipulative and uses "I didn't know" lies as a means to excuse her unacceptable behaviors. I personally had been getting more and more frustrated and even angry that she has gotten by (and keeps getting by) with that kind of inexcusable behavior—for years!

But then I read I John 4:18. It is punishment to live a life of fear. Punishment!! She isn't "getting by" with anything! She is living a tortured, tormented, punished life for the years she has refused to surrender all to God, and my heart broke for the consequences she is living and in compassion for her—I wept. There was no more anger. Just a broken heart for her.

How many times have we excused my mother-in-law's or my sister's behavior by saying, "Oh, that's just _____ (my sister) or "that's just _____ (my mother-in-law)?  NO!! NO! A thousand times NO! It isn't "just so and so," it is SIN!! Let's call it what it is—SIN! My sister is living a life of fear, anger, revenge, lies, and control because of SIN! My mother-in-law is living a tormented punished life of fear because of SIN!

What are we going to do about my husband's mom? We don't know yet. We are praying and asking God what, when, and how He wants us to do something. One thing we know. We cannot have this truth revealed to us and do nothing. Love requires action. Eternity is at stake.

When I quit making excuses for my sister's behavior and when I finally accepted the whole ugly truth it broke my heart. There was no anger, only a deep concern for her soul. I wanted to reach out to her because love does require action. But what could I do? We are in the middle of a lawsuit. There is no communication. It seemed hopeless.

When I felt led to begin this journal I had no idea God would use it to allow my voice to go to my sister as a witness to her of God's truth. It certainly wasn't anything I orchestrated. When the judge reopened discovery over some random issue and I realized I was going to have to send my private words and thoughts to someone who was seeking our ruin, it seemed like my worst nightmare. Yet, it was God's plan to reach my sister with HIS words and to free me from any responsibility for her ultimate choices. Now, we are seeking God's will for how He wants us reach out to my husband's mom. We will continue to seek His plan and wait on His leading.

Understanding scripture better has explained so much. I used to wonder why it would drive me crazy to be around my sister for very long. I've often wondered why there were times I found it difficult to even like my mother-in-law. I loved both my sister and mother-in-law, but there were times it was very difficult to like them. I've discovered it has nothing to do with a difference in personalities, it is because of the difference of who we are at our very core. It wasn't my sister's clutter, or the fidgeting, or the obsession with my brother that was driving me crazy; it was the difference in our core values that was separating us. It wasn't my mother-in-laws fears and unacceptable behaviors that was driving me crazy; it was the difference in our core values.

And my heart breaks and my soul weeps for both of them.

LORD, thank you for giving me an opportunity to share Truth with my sister. LORD, I pray that you will give us direction on who should speak Truth to my husband's mom. LORD, I pray that they will each understand that without you they are nothing and that they would both desire nothing but you.  LORD, may they surrender their hearts to Master Jesus, and change their hearts and lives. May they each live to see the day where they understand for the first time the fullness of your amazing Love.  LORD, we surrender them both to you. We lay our concern for them at your feet.

Addendum: 1/3/2017~  So, what happened? I wish I could say there was some sort of miraculous change in my mother-in-law's life. There wasn't.

I had two different opportunities to talk in depth with my mother-in-law. The first was in early 2014. We had recently moved both of my husband's parents to an Assisted Living facility. My mother-in-law developed an UTI which required a visit to the emergency room. While in the emergency room, the nurses wanted her to get up and walk a few steps before they released her. Even with two big burly men on each side of her, and even though their arms were wrapped securely around her in total support, my mother-in-law was paralyzed by the fear of falling and would not attempt a small single step. In the privacy of her room I talked to her about surrendering her fears. She didn't want to hear anything about it.

The last opportunity I had was shortly before my mother-in-law died in August of 2015. She would look up and smile whenever a nurse came into the room but she rarely ever acknowledged the presence of any of her family members. Knowing she could hear me, I went through all the steps of salvation even though I knew she grew up knowing them. I sang hymns to her, and I prayed for her. There was no visible response. While I believe her salvation was secure, I wanted to make sure she had every opportunity to surrender ALL.

The only thing we have any control over is our own personal response to Jesus. As for me, I choose to surrender—ALL.

All to Jesus I Surrender


Next Entry: II John 1:1–13 

I John 3:1–24

July 18, 2013

We are loved by the Father so much that we are called "children of God." And that is what we are—"children of God." There is a reason why we don't fit in with the world. It is because we are strangers. The world cannot possibly understand us because they don't know Him.

Christianity is a concept you really cannot understand without experiencing it. As Christians, we know we were made in the image of God; we are children of God; and when Christ returns we will be made like Him because we will see Christ as He really is. What a day that will be!! While we eagerly await that day, it is a foreign concept to people who have not accepted Christ as LORD.

Until that time, we have the responsibility to live as Christ taught.

• Christ is love—we must show love
• Christ is pure—we need to keep ourselves pure
• There is no sin in Christ—we cannot go on sinning
• Christ is all that is right—we must do what is right
• Christ is light—we cannot have darkness in us

Those who are God's children do not continue sinning because the new life from God is in them. I John 3:9 - "They are not able to go on sinning because they have become children of God." I John 3:6 - "Anyone who goes on sinning has never really understood Christ and has never known him."

Those two statements are very clear. If Christ is truly living in you, then He is Master and you are not able to continue in sin. The reverse is also true. If you do not change your hearts and lives and you continue to sin and live a lifestyle contrary to God's Word, then the truth is you never really understood Christ; you've never truly known Him; you are not a child of God; and He is not your Father. The narrow road is in fact—narrow. I John 3:10 - "Those who do not do what is right are not God's children, and those who do not love their brothers and sisters are not God's children."

It doesn't get much plainer than that.

From the very beginning of the Bible there has been one clear message: you must love God and you must love others. And from the very beginning, both teachings were broken. Cain killed Abel because he was jealous of him. Cain was corrupt, his heart was evil, and he was out to destroy his brother who had done nothing against Him.   

Our actions reveal the truth about our hearts. Sin (darkness) and Truth (light) cannot co-mingle. It should be no surprise that people of the world (as slaves of Satan) seek to harm you and hurt you. However, it was shocking to us when our own family members purposely set out (using trickery and then this lawsuit) to seek our destruction, especially since we thought we were like minded with them. What we now know (by the evidence of their actions and by searching God's Word) is that my sister and brother-in-law's actions show the truth about their hearts. I John 3:15 - "Everyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderers have eternal life in them." Jesus taught in Matthew 5:21–26 that hating someone in your heart is the same as the act of murder.

Hatred. Is there another way to describe the actions of my sister and brother-in-law. I wish there was. To purposely deceive and trick us and then file a lawsuit to try and ruin us—is hatred. Oh, they've couched it as "business" or "unfortunate" or whatever, but the bottom line is that in their interest of self-promotion, everything is on the table and nothing is sacred even if it means the destruction of others. There is a whole of list of other family and friends (as evidenced by my brother-in-law's list of broken relationships) who were victims of the same thinking, and there are others who are still unaware of the truth behind the scenes. I'm sure my sister and brother-in-law don't see their actions as a hatred of others. Whatever happens to the other person is just collateral damage to what they want or think they deserve. But, it is hatred. I've witnessed first hand the clenched teeth, the pointed fingers, and the squinted eyes.

God in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament taught the same message. They commanded that we love one another. I John 3:18 - "We should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring." You cannot be a child of God and seek the harm of other people. Cannot. I John 3:23 - "This is what God commands (not suggests): that we believe in his Son, Jesus Christ (Him as Master and we as servants) and that we love each other, just as he commanded."  (Emphasis and comments mine.)

You cannot purposely and intentionally choose to go against God's teachings and Jesus' clarifications and still have the blessing of being at one with God. I John 3:22 - "God gives us what we ask for because we obey God's commands and do what pleases him." This verse isn't referring to selfish "things." When we do what He commands and when we do what pleases Him, THEN our desires align with His desires and God gives us what we ask for, and we are in fellowship with him. I John 3:24 - "The people who obey God's commands live in God, and God lives in them. We KNOW that God lives in us because of the Spirit God gave us." Reminds me of the old camp song, "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.... they will know we are Christians by our love."

Matthew 22:37–39 - Jesus said (quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18), "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command. And the second is like the first: Love your neighbor as yourself."


Next Entry: I John 4:1 – 5:21

I John 2:1–29

July 15, 2013

Just because we have a Savior who will forgive us from our sins doesn't mean we have a license to sin. We are to become holy as He is holy. If we do sin Jesus is our intercessor between us and God. But we most certainly are not to remain in sin. There are two simple questions to ask yourself if you don't know where you stand in your fellowship with God.

1)  Am I obeying His commands? Yes or No? Remember, He is Master Jesus and we are to be His servants. We don't get to pick and choose which commands we want to obey. 

2) Do I say I know God but still follow my own ways and do not obey His commands? Then the answer is simple—He is not your Master. The disobedience of His commands show you are are not willing to be a servant to Master Jesus.

John says you are a liar and the truth is not in you if you say with mere words that He is Lord but your actions don't support your words. I John 2:6 - "Whoever says that he lives in God must live as Jesus lived."Jesus explains the teachings of the Old Testament.  We must go to Jesus for salvation, instruction, guidance, direction, clarification, etc. I John 2:9 - "Anyone who says, "I am in the light" (Christian) but hates a brother or sister, is still in the darkness."

Someone who lives in the light will not hate a brother or sister and will not harm anyone. But someone who hates (hate = angry, seeking revenge, harm, etc.) a brother or sister is:

• in darkness
• lives in darkness
• does not know where to go, and
• the darkness has made them blind.

Darkness—the absence of light. What a horrible way to live. When you "say" you are a Christian but your actions show you are out to get your brother or sister then the truth is not in you, and you are in darkness, you live in darkness, you wander around without clear direction, and you are blind because of the darkness. Your actions trump your claims.

I clearly remember how disturbing it was to watch and listen to my sister and brother-in-law's depositions in early 2009. There were just so many conflicting lies in their answers. On the way back home our hearts were just broken for them. At one point, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "There is no truth in them." Now in July, 2013, I understand more about the accuracy and horribleness of that statement.

The Truth/God can set them free. But standing in the way of God's forgiveness is that little (big) word—IF. There has to be confession AND repentance. There has to be a turning from and a turning towards. 

I John 2:15 - "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. These are the ways of the world:

• Wanting to please our sinful selves
• Wanting the sinful things we see 
• Being too proud of what we have

None of these come from the Father, but all of them come from the world. The world and everything that people want in it are passing away, but the person who does what God wants lives forever."


Next Entry: I John 2:1–29 (Continued)

I John 1:1–10

July 13, 2013

"When it comes to salvation, there aren't several roads... there is only one road... there aren't several ways... there is only one way... there aren't several paths... there is only one path. And that path is Jesus himself. Jesus is not one of many options. He is the only option or nothing at all. ~ From NCV Introduction to John

I John 1 is comprised of only ten short verses, but those ten short verses are packed full of TRUTH. If the only page you had of the entire Bible contained I John 1, it would be all you needed to understand God and the way to salvation. 

John knew Jesus. He was there. He heard Him. He saw Him. He watched Him. He touched Him. He knew about God through Him—and he couldn't keep it to himself. He had to tell others what he knew. He wrote it down and he announced to others who Jesus/God was/is and how we can be in fellowship with God and what prevents that oneness with God from happening.

Here is John's message (my paraphrase):

God has always existed. Jesus is the "Word" and the Word gives life. Jesus walked, talked, and lived among man. His life continues forever. Jesus is part of the trinity. He was with God before the world began. God was revealed to man through Jesus during His time on earth. The way to God is through His Son Jesus. Knowing God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ brings joy to your life and unity with other believers. Jesus shows us that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. None. Sin puts a barrier between God and ourselves. Denying the barrier doesn't make it go away. To think sin does not cause a barrier is only fooling ourselves and calling God a liar. The only way to remove the barrier is to confess our sins. IF—we confess our sins, THEN—the blood of Jesus cleanses us from every sin. We can trust God. We can trust God to do what is right. We can live each day in God's light.

You cannot have darkness (sin) in your life and also be in fellowship with God. I John 1:8 - "So if we say we have fellowship with God, but we continue living in darkness, we are liars and do not follow the truth." Continuing to live in sin is refusing to be a servant to Master Jesus. It is asserting your own will over the will of God.  It is self choosing to live in darkness while saying you are a follower of God who is light. Light and darkness cannot co-exist. Light is a symbol of goodness and truth. God is light. If God allowed darkness in it would alter the Light of God.

God cannot change and cannot be changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But, while God is eternal, man is mortal. If we have accepted God's Light into our lives and then allow darkness in, it doesn't change who God is but it does change us. Our light loses its brightness and if we do not get rid of the darkness, the darkness takes over. I John 1:7 - "But if we live in the light as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God's son, cleanses us from sin." The only way to have fellowship with God (and others) is to live in the light of God's truth.

IF we say we have not sinned we make God a liar and we are fooling ourselves. IF that is our attitude then the bottom line is we have rejected God's teachings and His truth is not in us. But IF—we confess our sins, THEN—He WILL forgive us of our sins and He WILL cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But it all hinges on one thing: IF we confess.

"We cannot be in a right relationship with God unless we live humbly, honestly, and dependently on him." (Life Lesson Observation)

Max Lucado, in his book The Applause of Heaven says it this way:

"If we confess our sins..." The biggest word in Scriptures just might be that two letter one, if. For confessing sins—admitting failure—is exactly what prisoners of pride refuse to do.

Justification. Rationalization. Comparison. These are the tools of the jailbird. They sound good. They sound familiar. They even sound American. But in the kingdom, they sound hollow...

When you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to cast all your care on him, and when there is truly no other one that you can call, then cast all your cares on him for he is waiting."

Excuses. We are all good at making excuses and rationalizations. Well I'm not perfect but I'm better than so and so. I'm not that bad. It's not really sin... at least not the big ones. I do a lot of good. I'm certainly not worse than most. I read my Bible... sometimes. I put money in the offering plate... sometimes. I give the things I don't want to charities. I'm a good person... at least most of the time. I'm sure God is glad I'm part of His team. Excuses. Excuses. No more excuses!!

God is faithful with the THEN, but it all hinges on the IF. 

IF—we confess our sins... THEN—I will forgive. 

IF—my people who are called by my name... THEN—I will hear. (II Chronicles 7:14)

 "True repentance is not just confession of sin but a sincere willingness to not do that sin again." ~ From Life Lesson for Hebrews 9

Next Entry: I John 2:1–29

II Peter 3:1–18

July 12, 2013

Jesus will come again. Just because it is 2013 and it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it isn't going to happen. To the LORD, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day.

God isn't slow—He is patient—and I am so grateful that He is. He doesn't want anyone to be lost. He wants ALL people to change their hearts and lives. So, He patiently waits. He patiently waited until Noah finished building the boat. He patiently waits—and for six years He has extended "days of Grace" to my sister and brother-in-law while having a judge withhold judgment.

Our prayer continues to be that my sister and brother-in-law would change their hearts and lives and that they would become servants of the Master Jesus. Whether we live or die, the only thing that truly matters is how we lived our lives for Him. Whether He comes in 2013, whether we live to a ripe old age, or whether today is our last day—none of that matters. The ONLY thing that matters is HIM. 

We don't know when our time is up, so "you should live holy lives and serve God" (II Peter 3:11) as you wait for Him. II Peter 3:13 - "We are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth where goodness lives." We are waiting for Him. While we are waiting we should not be idle. We need to grow in grace and knowledge; we need to be without sin and without fault; we need to be actively pursuing Him; we need to be doing our part to build His kingdom; and we need to be ready.

LORD, I pray that you will actively pursue my sister and brother-in-law. Get in their face. Make it impossible for them to ignore YOU. Please continue to be patient with them. Give them another opportunity to surrender to YOU. Amen.


Next Entry: I John 1:1–10

II Peter 2:1–22

July 11, 2013

Watch out for false teachers. Who is a false teacher? Someone who is master over their own life and not a servant of the Master Jesus. There are many people who say they believe Jesus is the Son of God; who say He is the way to salvation; who even say they are "Christian"; and yet they refuse to become a servant to the Master Jesus. The only person they "serve" is self. They are the masters over their own destiny, and their outcome is sure.

II Peter 2:1 - "...they will bring quick ruin on themselves." Everything they do is motivated by self.

Peter calls the actions of people who live their lives motivated by self—evil. If you don't follow God's way then you are against God's way. It really is that simple. If you are not for you are against. If your actions are not following God's teachings, then your actions are against HIS words and you are leading people (being a false teacher) away from Christ by your actions. You have chosen to ignore the fact that Master Jesus bought your freedom with His life and you have installed yourself as master.

"Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling lies." That one sentence, found in II Peter 2:3, in just fifteen words explains the basis for the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed six years ago.

Peter describes the attributes of a false teacher:

• They are bold
• They do anything they want
• Nothing is sacred to them—nothing is off limits
• They speak as if they have knowledge—but they don't
• They are like animals—they act on instinct
• They cause many people to suffer
• They are proud of their acts—"we are on the cutting edge of everything"
• They delight in trickery while eating meals with you —they have no conscience
• They plan and strategize their trickery methods
• What they want—they go after
• They always want more—they are never satisfied
• They lead others into the trap of sin
• They are greedy
• They've left the right road—they've lost their way
• They cannot be used as God intended—they are void of kingdom value (springs without water)
• They brag about things that mean nothing
• They scheme ways to entice other people to follow them so they can fulfill their own evil desires of power, wealth, fame, etc.
• They promise "freedom" when they themselves aren't free 
• They are slaves to things—but those "things" never satisfy
• They think they are in control—but they are actually slaves to what drives them and what drives them ends up controlling them
• They hate authority

You cannot be the person Peter just described and also be a servant of the Master Jesus. Cannot. God is either God of everything or He is a god of nothing. You can't pick and choose. Either you surrender to His will or "self" is in control and you are master of your own life—or so you think. "Thinking" you are in control is a false illusion. God is in control whether you surrender or not. Your actions cannot change that irrefutable truth. God is in control. Period.

Peter describes the facts of what will happen to those who refuse to surrender to the Master Jesus.

• Their actions will bring quick ruin on themselves
• They won't get by with their actions
• "Their judgment spoken against them long ago is still coming."  

Just because accountability hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it isn't going to happen. God's timing will determine the "when." It isn't "if," it is "when." I Peter 3:20 - "God waited patiently until Noah finished the boat."

• Their ruin is certain
• They will suffer like they have caused others to suffer
• They are paid back (by God) for what they have done 
• God will punish them
• They are slaves to what controls them—temporary and earthly "things"

God is the one who separates the wheat from the chaff. When angels sinned God did not ignore it. He separated them from those who did not sin and He sent them to caves of darkness where they are held for judgment. In the days of Noah God brought a flood to destroy the world that was full of evil people. But first He provided a way of salvation and He saved Noah and seven others. He separated and protected the righteous while He judged the people who lived against Him.

The same thing happened with Lot. He provided a way of escape and He saved Lot, but He destroyed those who chose to live "filthy lives." God provides a way out for those who have surrendered their lives to Him. He separates the righteous from the wicked. II Peter 2:9 - "So the Lord knows how to save those who serve him when trouble comes."

In Jane's KJV she has written: "The Lord knows how to ______ fill in your need." We can have complete confidence in that. The Lord KNOWS! We don't have to do anything but trust, obey, and believe Him to protect us and right the wrong.  Psalm 140:12 - "I KNOW the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."

Those who insist upon being their own god are walking a very dangerous path. They at one time were made free by knowing Jesus, but if they insist upon returning to their evil ways, they become blinded. They fool themselves into thinking they are still free, when in reality they are actually controlled by their sin and it will be worse for them than if they had never known the truth of Christ. Peter says they are like a dog that returns to his vomit or a pig that returns to the mud after being washed.

You will be a servant of something. I choose to be a servant to the Master Jesus rather than a slave to sin. One choice ends in reward. The other ends in destruction.

I found this chapter disturbing to write about. The reality is difficult to think about. But, if I am going to be a servant of Christ, I must accept ALL of His teachings and I must accept that a judgment does await those who refuse to bow to His authority. Unfortunately, I believe the description of a false teacher that Peter describes, line by line describes the actions of my sister and brother-in-law.

LORD, may they change their hearts and lives before it is too late.


Next Entry: II Peter 3:1–18